Pacific Rim: The Giant Monster Movie of 2013

Rating: 6/10 (21 July 2013)

Preface: I will not spoil the movie for anyone interested in seeing it. I will provide my opinion on the overarching plot line and general scenario as well as the acting before giving the movie a rating and a recommendation.
INTRO:
Set in a slightly futuristic world, Pacific Rim in a ode to many of the giant monster movies of the past. For those that remember watching Godzilla versus Mothra, or any of the other hilariously metamorphosed creatures from the creative Japanese minds of the late 1950's and 60's, will feel drawn into the sci-fi world of Pacific Rim. The setting changes from various locations on the Pacific coastline during the film until a final stop at a base in Hong Kong where most of the film's action takes place.
ACTING:
Animation aside, the acting was surprising good for a film that was less plot and more fight scene. The cast was full of unknown names to me. The sole recognizable face was Charlie Day or Charlie from It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. He plays a PhD biologist who isn't afraid to remind people he's a doctor and is interested in learning all he can about the Kaiju. His character is very spastic and full of energy, which reminds me very much of Charlie from Always Sunny. This obviously shows the role wasn't too much of a stretch for Day's acting chops.
The lead male role is played by Charlie Hunnam (who upon further investigation stars in Sons of Anarchy, never seen it) who is one of the Jaegar pilots. Charlie's character Raleigh (yep like the city) is a gifted pilot, one of only two pilots to ever be able to operate a Jaegar by himself for any extended period. Charlie plays the role well, interjecting his positive attitude wherever possible (most of the time in the middle of a fight). Raleigh loves to fight and often acts without any idea of self worth when in battle. He is your typical hot shot, selfless hero.
The female lead is played by Rinko Kikuchi (never heard of anything she's been in). Her character Mako Mori is also a Jaegar pilot. She goes through an internal, emotional struggle related to the Kaiju and her childhood throughout the film. Overall, her acting is good and she gives enough to have you buy into her character even though much of the plot and motivation of actions by and towards her are questionable. I'd give more about her character, but it would be revealing too much of the plot and ending of the movie.
TAKEAWAYS:
Overall, if you're walking into the movie to see a visually appealing, monster flick you're in for a treat. If you're looking for any logical plot line or strong character development go see none of the movies currently in theaters and pop in the Se7en DVD sitting in the stack next to the TV.
This is a movie that if seen at all should be viewed in the theater. The visual experience of a home TV diminishes the major redeeming factor that Pacific Rim has: the ability to captivate and immerse an audience in a visually stimulating environment.
The rating that follows take into consideration the entirety of the movie experience. I would recommend anyone moderately interested to go see Pacific Rim, but the rating reflect the movie in comparison to movies as a whole.
RATING:
The film gets 3/5 Chuck Norris thumbs ups.